Change My Ways

*Four Months Later*

My phone rings, from where it sits on my desk, and I almost jump out of my chair. "Hello." I answer it.

"Hey, Elody. How are you?" Brian asks.

"Hey, Bri. I'm doing okay. How are you?"

"I'm doing well. Listen, I was wondering if you'd want to get together with us guys tonight to have a drink, and catch up."

"I really don't think that would be a good idea..."

"Why not?"

"I have to work tomorrow."

"Tomorrow is Saturday."

"Oh, right. But I'm pretty sure I have something planned."

"Sitting around your apartment sulking is not a plan, you do that all the time."

"I'm still getting through things, Brian, it's going to take me some time."

"I know, but it's been four months now, and all you can do is think up excuses, instead of try to enjoy yourself again."

"I'm not making ex..."

"I've called the past few weeks straight, I invite you to things all the time, and you constantly decline. I just want to help you get back on your feet, after what happened."

"I understand that, it's just..."

"We will pick you up at eight, I'm not taking no for an answer this time. Bye!" He hangs up the phone.

It's only three o'clock, and I'm so over this day, already. I pick up my purse, and head to my bosses office.

"Hey, El." Shawna greets me, as I pause in her doorway. "Headed out for the weekend?"

"Yeah. Everything is done, and ready to go for Monday."

"Great!" She smiles. I start to walk away, but she catches me. "Elody?"

"Yes?" I turn around.

"I just want you to know that if you ever have anything on your mind, you can come to me. I know I'm your boss, and we don't know one another very well yet, since you haven't been here very long, but I am a great listener."

"Thanks, Shawna. I really appreciate it." I smile at her.

"You're welcome. Have a great weekend! Try to relax!"

I walk down the hall, and out the door, into the sunlight. Man it's hot out today. I walk over to my car, and get in, immediately rolling down the windows. I drive home just letting the wind blow through my hair.

Juliet greets me at the door, after I pull up at our apartment. "Hey, you!" She opens the door wider, so I can get in.

"Uh... Hi?" I say, questioningly, wondering why she's so excited to see me.

"So, I was thinking, we should go out tonight, and do something." She says.

"I actually... already have plans."

"Really?"

"Is that so hard to believe?"

"No... It's just that you've been at home pretty much every day for four months straight, unless you're working."

"Jul..."

"You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to. I can tell something bad happened, though, and I just wish you'd let me help you through it."

"I appreciate that you want to help, but there's really nothing that can be done. I'm just broken, that's all. I lost pretty much everything about four months ago, and now I'm just trying to live again, and get my life back on track."

"I understand. I'm really sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry about." I smile at her. "I'll be fine, it might take me a while, though."

"Okay. So what's going on tonight?"

"Brian invited me out... Again."

"Wow. How many times does that make now?" She laughs. "I'm glad you are taking him up on his offer this time."

"He didn't really give me a choice."

"Ahh... Well I hope that you guys enjoy yourselves."

"You have fun, too. Are you going out with..."

"Kevin?"

"Yes. That's his name."

"Yes." She laughs.

"Cool. Well, I guess I'll see you later."

"Most likely not." She winks at me, and walks out to her car.

--

I hear a knock at the door, and I jolt upright from my spot on the couch. I rush over to the door, and open it, to reveal Brian and the guys. "Shit."

"Not exactly the greeting we were going for... Why are you still wearing office clothes?" Brian asks.

"I'm sorry. I fell asleep after Juliet left, I guess. I just woke up to you knocking. You guys can come in, I'll go get ready."

"Why can't you just wear that?" Jimmy asks.

"I wore this to work today, Jimmy. I'm not wearing it out to some bar, too."

"How about thirty minutes?" Brian asks.

"Make it fourty-five." I say, turning to head upstairs.

"Oh great, we're gonna be here all night." I hear Johnny say.

Notes

I'm so sorry I haven't updated in months! The new Google update several months ago, made it impossible for me to get into my account. By some miracle, I managed to pull up this account using my Facebook. I didn't realize I could even do that! I honestly debated on just ending the story, but the relationship between Elody and Brian hasn't even had time to go anywhere. Plus, I couldn't decide on how I'd end it anyway. This chapter sucks, I know, but cut me some slack please, I have major writer's block after not writing for so long! If anyone has any ideas on where they think this story should go, I'm all ears! Message them to me, or comment them, please. :) Let me know if you all are still with me!

-Jaq<3